Mass Reading & Meditation for July 13, 2013

“It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher.” (Matthew 10:25)

Looking at all of Jesus’ miraculous displays of power, wisdom, and compassion, we may be tempted to assume that becoming like him means becoming more powerful ourselves. Of course he expects us to be more loving, demonstrate his power, and have a deep understanding of his teachings. It would be helpful, too, if we were indifferent to popular opinion, impervious to insult, and resistant to offense.

These are all good qualities, but they aren’t the first items on Jesus’ list. None of them really gets to the heart of who Jesus is—the One we are supposed to “become like” (Matthew 10:25). Above all of these attributes is Jesus’ absolute knowledge of and reliance on his Father’s love.

If you want to manifest the qualities you see in Jesus, your best hope is to make sure you are grounded in God’s love for you. This is the one constant in, the one foundation you will ever need. You are precious in God’s sight, not because of what you can do but simply because of who you are. You are his child, created in love, redeemed in love, sustained in love, and destined for love.

It may sound too good to be true, but the reality is that this such a deep experience of God’s love is not beyond anyone’s reach. Actually, our Father delights in pouring his love into us. He is a very generous God, eager to shower us with his grace and revelation.

We often have an image of God as a stern judge waiting for us to fulfill some strict set of requirements before he will give us just an inkling of his grace. But this is just plain is not true! God’s love is available to anyone who opens his or her heart in prayer. It permeates every word we read in Scripture. It beckons us in every situation we encounter. It is always there, like the air that we breathe.

This weekend, take God at his word. Try sitting quietly with him in prayer. Ask him to assure you of his immense love for you. Let him convince you, so that you can become more like Jesus, your Teacher and Master.

“Father, I want to know your love more deeply, so that I can share it with everyone I meet.”